playgrounds

IF you’re already planning your next camping holiday, then these are the places you should be booking.

Caravan and Motorhome Club  has announced the winners of its 2026 Site Awards, with beachfront destinations to pitches in the Cotswolds.

The Site Awards are awarded to ‘celebrate the dedication, hard work and creativity of campsite teams across its UK network’.

The 2026 awards had three main categories: the longstanding Sites in Bloom competition, the newly introduced Inspirational Photograph Award, and the Sustainability Award.

One of the new awards for this year is the Inspirational Photograph Award Winners which highlights summer campsite staff who capture things like landscapes, wildlife, and facilities across the campsite network.

One of the winners was the New England Bay Club Campsite in Scotland which sits right off the beach and has sweeping views of Luce Bay.

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Here, campers can go swimming, sailing, or try out water sports.

On-site there’s also a playground and games room with the nearby town of Stranraer having golf courses, green bowling, a swimming pool, sports centre, theatre and cinema.

It has 67 touring pitches, three camping pitches and rates start from £15.20.

Another of the winning campsites is Broadway Club Campsite in the Cotswolds.

Surrounded by natural beauty, the campsite is a perfect spot for exploring the cycling and walking trails.

It’s easily within walking distance of Tuesday Street Market – which is the largest open air street market in the Cotswolds, as well as over twenty local pubs, restaurants, and cafes.

Being on Bourton Road, the campsite is ideal for anyone wanting to explore Bourton-on-the-Water and Moreton-in-Marsh.

On-site it has a play area for children with a climbing frame.

It has 184 touring pitches and 10 pods available to hire – rates start from £22.30.

Coniston Park Coppice Club Campsite also scooped up the award in the category for the best in the North of England.

The campsite itself sits within acres upon acres of woodland where visitors will find the 232 pitches ranging from touring to camping and pods.

On-site is a mini adventure playground and nearby, families can go cycling, rock climbing, and even enjoy guided pony treks.

Of course, the campsite has direct access to Coniston Water where there’s a chance to go sailing, windsurfing, and canoeing.

On Coniston Pier a few miles away, there are steamboat rides and boat hire.

Rates for pitches at Coniston Park Coppice Club Campsite start from £23.50.

Harvey Alexander, CEO of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, said: “Our campsite teams work tirelessly to create welcoming environments and memorable stays for our members and guests.

“The 2026 Site Awards highlight the incredible passion, care and creativity present across our entire campsite network. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and runners-up.”

Here’s the full list of the Caravan and Motorhome Club Site Award Winners…

2026 Sustainability Award

Clumber Park Club Campsite

Sites in Bloom Winners

Multi-Couple Site Winner: Battle Normanhurst Court Club Campsite

Single-Couple Site Winner: Englethwaite Hall Club Campsite

Single-Couple Site Winner: Englethwaite Hall Club Campsite

Inspirational Photograph Award Winners:

Middle England & Anglia: 

1st & 3rd – Castleton Club Campsite

2nd – Lickpenny Matlock Club Campsite

Southern: 

1st- Broadway Club Campsite

2nd – New Forest Centenary Club Campsite

3rd – Crossways Club Campsite

South West: 

1st & 2nd – Dornafield Dartmoor Club Campsite 

3rd – Putts Corner Club Campsite

South East: 

1st – Rookesbury Park Club Campsite

2nd – Bearsted Club Campsite

3rd – Alderstead Heath Club Campsite 

Scotland: 

1st – New England Bay Club Campsite

2nd & 3rd – Altnaharra Club Campsite

Northern: 

1st & 3rd – Coniston Park Coppice Club Campsite

2nd – Troutbeck Head Club Campsite

THERE are waterparks all over the world, but this one has just been crowned one of the best – and it’s just hours from the UK.

Aquashow Water Park in Portugal has been crowned Europe’s Leading Water Park 2026 at the World Travel Awards.

The waterpark has a huge seasonal outdoor pool complex which will reopen in May 2027.

It has a splash park called Aqualandia with slides and tipping buckets for little ones – but there’s plenty of high thrills rides too.

The Flash Coaster is one of the biggest rides in the park and it’s quick too at 62mph.

There are also racing slides, flumes, a wave pool and for those brave enough, try out Free Fall.

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It’s the biggest free fall jump in Europe and the only one in the Algarve; there are two slides, each 32 metres high and 129 metres long.

Outside are food stalls serving up burgers, hot dogs, salads, sandwiches, ice cream, pastries and drinks.

Outdoor waterpark tickets for those between 11-64 range from €34 – €38 (£29-£32), junior and senior tickets start from €25 (£21).

When it’s the off-season and it’s a little cooler in the Algarve, make the most of the indoor pools.

There are different kinds to choose from including its wave pool, children’s pool, relax pool and spa.

Then there’s the adventure pool with a climbing wall and a circuit of suspended rings over the water.

Adventure Island is where kids can splash about with smaller slides, and water features.

There are also larger and faster flumes and racing slides too.

It’s not all water activities, the Sky Challenge is a high-ropes course, and there’s an indoor playground with soft play, trampolines and climbing walls.

Tickets for a three- hour sessions at the indoor waterpark start from €25 (£21) for children between 6-12. For adults aged 13-64 tickets are €35 (£29).

For anyone wanting to visit, the waterpark has its own on-site hotel – all its rooms have air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi.

You’ll also find a restaurant, bar and outdoor terrace.

A family of up to six can stay for two nights at the hotel from €884.75 (£740) including breakfast.

The hotel is 2.5 miles from the Quarteira resort centre, where you’ll find shops and restaurants – the nearest beach is about 2.7 miles away.

For more on the World Travel Awards, this theme park with no rides or rollercoasters was named the best in Europe.

And these are the world’s best hotels from beachfront island resorts to mega theme park stays, and there are two in the UK.